Aren’t we always looking for the next, best way to mark quilts? This isn’t a new method, but perhaps this post has some tips you haven’t tried. These tips came from HQ Studio Educator Marie Eldredge.

Have you used a pounce pad? What about that blue pounce powder that seems to get everywhere?

Tip 1: Mix a tablespoon of the blue pounce powder with a cup of talc or baby powder. This lightens up the blue color but you’ll still be able to see the marked lines. Then just use it as usual in your pounce pad.

Tip 2: Try Ultimate Pounce Powder in your pounce pad. This is a white powder, so it is best with medium and dark fabrics. But what you’ll love about it is that it irons off. (You can also brush it off like other powders.) You’ll probably want to pick up a second pounce pad so one can be loaded with the blue powder and one with the iron-off Ultimate Pounce Powder.

Tip 3: So you’ve marked your quilt — but you’re not going to be able to start quilting immediately. After you’ve marked the quilt with Ultimate Pounce Powder, lightly mist the marked areas with water. This helps to set the powder — and it still irons off when you’re done quiltilng. (Don’t mist the blue powder, however!!)

Tip 4: Load your Chaco-liner with Ultimate Pounce Powder (as suggested by both The Modern Seamstress and HQ Studio Educator Marie Eldredge) and take advantage of the iron-off properties of the powder and the precision of marking lines with the liner.

Watch for tomorrow’s post where we’ll discuss using the pounce pad with Golden Threads paper.

So you’ve installed the Micro Handles.  Now what?

Why do you want to consider micro quilting?

Micro quilting gives your quilts additional visual interest and texture. The micro quilting contrasts with your primary motifs and actually makes them stand out in the quilt.

The blocks below use the same quilting motif, but the one on the right is embellished with micro quilting around the primary motif. Look at how micro quilting makes the primary quilting motif visually (and texturally) “pop” in the version on the right.

The sample below shows a variety of micro quilting options you might want to try — from pebbles to micro stippling, to swirls, loops and micro feathers. If you can draw it big, you can quilt it small. The possibilities are truly limitless.

Use Micro Quilting to Dress Up a Simple Quilt

Look at how the micro quilting adds definition to this simple — now elegant — quilt.  (The quilt is called “Not So Plain Jane” and is by Lisa Calle quilt. It is part of the Handi Quilter Quilt Collection.)

 What are other considerations when micro quilting?

Thread choice: Since you’ll be quilting small designs and close together, you’ll  want to use a finer thread than what you use for day-to-day quilting.

That means you need to “think skinny” and pick your favorite 50 wt./#100 thread. Some good choices are:

• Bottom Line (Superior Threads)
• So Fine (Superior Threads)
• Metallic
• Glitter Monofilament
• Silk

 Stitch Regulation or Manual: The choice is up to  you. If you are going to use manual mode when micro quilting, we recommend setting the speed to about 35%. If you are going to use stitch regulation, we suggest Cruise mode at 25% and 18 stitches per inch.

Practice drawing: Since micro quilting is a free-motion technique, we suggest that you break out that pad of paper and a pencil and practice drawing a variety of micro quilting filler designs. It won’t be long until you have developed the hand-eye coordination that will translate to the machine when you’re ready to quilt.

Take regular breaks: Although you’ll most likely be seated at a stool while micro quilting, you’ll still want to take regular breaks to give your eyes (and back) a rest. And while you’re quilting, rest your arms on the front poles of the frame.

You’re ready to try your hand at micro quilting!

Do you love the look of micro quilting? If so, you’ll want to consider adding micro handles to your HQ18 Avante, HQ24 Fusion or HQ Sixteen. In fact, many quilters like to use micro handles for all of their quilting.

Today’s post is about the handles themselves, and tomorrow’s post will show some of the amazing options for micro quilting. Here’s a preview. Don’t you love the basket weave design? Here it’s used in the border of the quilt, and of course, on the baskets themselves.

Micro handles from Handi Quilter are unique in that they are designed specifically for our machines. The integrate seamlessly with the software and electronics of the machine, have the same controls as the regular handles, and have extra LED lights for illuminating the quilting area.

What’s even better, they are intended to be used while you are seated. If you don’t already have an adjustable stool, consider adding one to your studio so you can quilt while seated. and if the stool has wheels, it’s easy to move from side to side as you work on your quilt.

Adjusting the Micro Handles

Adjust the micro handles forward or backward by loosening the hex screw in the bracket.

Adjust the height of the micro handles by loosening the star knob on top of the micro handles.

Sometimes you’ll want the handles right down by the needle. Other times, you’ll want them farther from the needle. In either case, you want to make sure there is clearance between the handles and the front poles.

Here’s a short video that summarizes how to use the micro handles: